Species: A History of the Idea
Species: A History of the Idea
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Abstract
The complex idea of “species” has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. The book explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history—a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing “generative conceptions” of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, the text provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. It also reviews the array of current definitions.
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Front Matter
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Prologue
John S. Wilkins
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The Classical Era: Science by Division
John S. Wilkins
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The Medieval Bridge
John S. Wilkins
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Species and the Birth of Modern Science
John S. Wilkins
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The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change
John S. Wilkins
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Darwin and the Darwinians
John S. Wilkins
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The Species Problem Arises
John S. Wilkins
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The Synthesis and Species
John S. Wilkins
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Modern Debates
John S. Wilkins
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Historical Summary and Conclusions
John S. Wilkins
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End Matter
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